When life gets hard, sometimes it is a real challenge to see that anything positive can come of what we are enduring.

But God changes that for those who are His true followers!  

God did this for Paul, and countless others whose lives are detailed in Scripture, because they obeyed and served Him. 

Once Adam and Eve disobeyed God [sinned], the path would never be easy. 

Jesus warned us it wouldn’t be an easy path: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. 

But Jesus tells us to “take heart”!  Why can we do this? We can do this because He, by His amazing power, beat Satan. God raised Him from the grave. All three persons of the Trinity were involved in this amazing plan and victory! [See John 2:19, Galatians 1:1, and 1 Peter 3:18.]

Jesus’ victory provides His people with the ability to endure hardship, without being defeated.

Jesus’ gift of eternal life, described in the Gospel message, is truly Good News!  When we acknowledge our sinfulness, and confess to God our need for Jesus as our Savior, He becomes our Lord. He is our GOOD Lord! He only wants to help us. He never wants to crush us. He wants to break our sinful tendencies, because they hurt us, but He will always keep His promise stated in Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Is Jesus truly your Savior? Have you submitted to His Lordship over your life? If so, you are completely secure in Him, and He has removed the destructive power behind any troubles you experience. It is done! Jesus accomplished it at the cross for all who come to Him.

Our responsibility is to walk through the struggles, the hardships, abiding in Jesus [See John 15].

There have been challenges in my life that made me feel as if they were going to crush me. But God kept His promises we find in His word. He victoriously comforted me and carried me through the trials, and into victory over struggles. 

What matters is what you believe about God.

Do you believe these promises I’ve quoted in this writing? Do you believe God’s entire word of 66 letters/scrolls that are compiled into one book are all true?  

What you believe about God matters when you feel as though life’s hardships are going to destroy you.

What hardship(s) are you currently enduring?

Perhaps your spouse just told you your marriage is over. No conversation required. Done. 

It could be that you are finding yourself enduring multiple physical challenges – macular degeneration, cancer, back problems so bad you can hardly walk. 

Your struggle could be financially based. You may be looking for work, or have the need for a second job. 

Whatever your hardship, God is working for your benefit, as His child, even if you do not “see” evidence of His involvement in your situation. 

Satan tosses these challenges our way because He wants God’s people to feel defeated. But God wants to walk with us through the hardships, and He is able to remove the destructive power, the havoc, the enemy of our souls wants to reap in our lives.

Luke 22:31 states: “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.”  Satan wanted to destroy Peter. But Jesus gave Peter encouragement in Luke 22:32: “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 

As the events unfolded, Peter did fall prey to Satan’s schemes, but God removed the destructive power behind them.  God restored Peter, and utilized him in amazing ways to spread the Gospel. 

You can read Peter’s call by Jesus in John 21:15: “When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.” Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.” Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.”  [Additionally, you can read more about Peter in Acts, 1 Peter and 2 Peter.]

Peter’s denial of Jesus could have devastated him. But God used it to build his character!  God knows how to turn what appears to be something that will destroy us into something that builds our character, so we are more like Jesus!

Please remember that Jesus, in John 17:20-21 prayed for all of us: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

One of God’s purposes in our hardships is to display His amazing power on our behalf. As we experience God’s power in and through our trials, and testify to others about His involvement, others will come to know Him personally.  If my suffering can lead to someone else’s eternal salvation, then it is worth it! After all, it was worth it to Jesus to suffer to save us.

If I can help you as you are enduring hardship, please contact me at :  ButGodCares@gmail.com.

Living for Jesus, Donna

P.S. If this has helped you, please feel free to share it with others!

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Copyright 2024 Donna Shappy   All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.